Rzhev – The Meat Grinder

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1942, Armor, Artillery, Eastern Front, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic, Winter

Rzhev (the Meat Grinder)

“Listen up, men! The Battle of Rzhev in that God-forsaken winter of ‘42 was a real bloodbath—some called it the ‘Rzhev Meat Grinder’ and they weren’t kidding. Those Russians threw everything they had at the Germans, trying to smash their lines and give Stalin a breather for Moscow. But the Germans had their trenches dug deep and those Red boys paid for every inch of dirt with buckets of blood.

The snow and ice turned the whole mess into a living hell—no damn place for a man or a tank. Despite all that, the Soviets never stopped coming. Sure, they didn’t take Rzhev right then and there, but they hammered the Germans so hard they finally had to pack up and haul ass out of there later on.

So here’s the lesson, boys: courage is the fuel, and persistence is the blade—but even the toughest steel can wear down when you keep pounding it. The Rzhev campaign was brutal, but it was one more nail in the coffin of that damn Nazi war machine.”

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 4

Axis – 6

Complexity:

4

Conditions:

Winter

Location:

Russia

Year:

1942

Theater:

Eastern Front

Summary:

Rzhev is a complex scenario recreating the Soviet counter-offensive with a 10 VP goal. This requires a long-term plan, as quick tactical hits will not win such a long battle. Night rules are in effect.

Objectives:

10 VPs,
including Objective medals for both Axis and Allies, plus Exit objectives for Allies.

The town of Belyi is a temporary medal objective worth 1 medal for both sides. If any unit occupies any of the three hexes marked with an ‘A’ they gain a medal irregardless if an opponent occupies any of the other hexes. Both sides can earn 1 medal at the same time.
The town of Rzhev is a temporary medal objective worth 2 medals for both sides. If any unit occupies any of the 3 hexes marked with a ‘B’ they gain 2 medals irregardless if an opponent occupies any of the other hexes.

Terrain:

The Axis forces already control much of the battlefield, as sandbagged troops who are very difficult to dislodge, while the Russians are pressed up against the wall.

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry including a Sniper, 5 Armor, 1 Artillery

Axis – 10 Infantry including a Sniper, 4 Armor, 1 Artillery

🔥 1. Winning as the Soviets (Allies)

Soviets must be surgical, not brute-force.
Your troops have numbers but terrible defensive terrain.
So your victories come from forcing the Axis out of their woods.

Do NOT Push the Center First

The center looks juicy… but it’s a trap.

If you push center:

You feed medals to the German artillery in the woods
You take 2-dice fire from multiple directions
You lose tempo

2. You can attack the well-protected Axis Infantry units by placing your Armor in the forest and degrading them over several turns. Time is on your side, so there is no need to rush the attack until you are ready.

3. You have a well-placed Artillery right in the center of the battlefield. Use it at every opportunity to take out enemy forces. If you get the chance to concentrate firepower using a card like Firefight, Barrage, or Airpower, then use it to destroy the enemy Artillery against the back border before it moves forward.

🔥 1. Winning as the Germans (Axis)

Because this is a Russian counter-attack scenario, the Germans are primarily in a defensive position and out-numbered. So use your protections well. You must get your Armor into a good defensive tactical position to allow for mobility when needed, and defense of open terrain in the center and left section.

2. Your artillery is well-placed in the center. Use it to good effect before it is overwhelmed by the enemy.

Battle Reports

(percentage of Allied victories):

31%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Russian Breakout

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1941, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario

Russian Breakout

The Russian Breakout of 1941, often referring to Soviet counteroffensives following the initial German advance during Operation Barbarossa, marked a desperate but determined attempt by the Red Army to halt the Wehrmacht’s momentum. After suffering massive losses and encirclements, Soviet forces launched breakout attacks—particularly around Kiev, Smolensk, and later Moscow—aimed at escaping German pockets and stabilizing the front.

General Howitzer:
The Russians took one hell of a beating in ’41, but instead of folding, they came out swinging—fighting their way out of pockets around Kiev, Smolensk, and Moscow. It was messy, bloody, and half-mad, but it stalled the German steamroller just long enough for winter to slam the door. That breakout didn’t win the war—but it sure as hell kept them in it.

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

Russian – 4

Axis – 6

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Russia

Year:

1941

Theater:

Eastern Front

Campaign:

Barbarossa

Codename

Summary:

This scenario begins with both forces arrayed across the battlefield and ready to engage in warfare. If the Russian forces are able to break through to the other side, they can gain a VP for each unit that escapes the battlefield.

Objectives:

Battlefield:

Troops:

Allies – 10 Infantry, 2 Armor, 2 Artillery

Axis – 5 Infantry, 6 Armor, 3 Artillery

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. As the Russian commander, you are hindered by needing pre-approval on almost everything from the Political Commissar. This will make your card management – responsiveness – much more difficult. You will need to arrange your forces to maximize mobility, and preserve the multi-sectional and Tactics cards for when you are in a real emergency.

2. You are outnumbered in every section except the center, where although you have more units the enemy has more fire-power with three armored units to your one. But the enemy artillery in the right flank is not protected by the woods, so is a bit weaker. If you have the cards for a breakout on the right, you should pursue it.

3. Many of your infantry are exposed on the open countryside right in front of the enemy armor. If you can get some of them into the woods, to give your artillery and armor time to weaken the enemy, then your infantry can come out to play shortly thereafter.

4. However, if you get a great set of cards, like Infantry Assault, or center section Assault, you absolutely can overwhelm the armor by your sheer numbers. If you can get right next to armor with infantry, you are rolling 3D’s, just like them.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. Big picture strategy for you is that you have overwhelming armored force, and you should use it before you get overwhelmed by the enemy infantry.

2. You need to prevent the enemy from forcing their way through your lines to the exit row.

Author:

Days of Wonder

URL

Pointe-du-Hoc

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Artillery, Base Game, Beach, Countryside, D-Day, Infantry, Location: France, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical, Theater: Western

Pointe-du-Hoc

The Battle of Pointe du Hoc was a critical part of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Pointe du Hoc, a steep cliff overlooking the English Channel between Utah and Omaha beaches, was targeted because it housed a German gun battery capable of threatening the Allied landings.

U.S. Army Rangers were tasked with scaling the 100-foot cliffs to neutralize the German artillery positions believed to be in bunkers at the top. About 225 Rangers from the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions led by Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder. Using ropes, ladders, and grappling hooks under intense German fire, the Rangers climbed the cliffs while under heavy fire. The Rangers discovered the artillery guns had been moved inland. They located and destroyed the guns using thermite grenades. The Rangers suffered heavy losses—fewer than half were still capable of fighting after the battle.

General Howitzer sums up its importance:

Listen up, men—Pointe du Hoc wasn’t just another hill; it was the lynchpin in the whole damned invasion. Our boys scaled those cliffs under fire, ripped out the German artillery, and made damn sure nothing could rain hell on Utah and Omaha. It was guts, grit, and glory—one of the boldest strikes of D-Day, and it damn well helped crack open Fortress Europe.

~ General Howitzer

4 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 6

Axis – 4

Complexity:

2

Conditions:

Beach

Location:

Normandy

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Invasion of Normandy

Codename:

Part of Operation Overlord

Briefing:

This scenario is a tough one for the Germans, as the Allies have a 69% success rate.

Objectives:

Because this is a 4 VP scenario, every single hit matters, so both Axis and Allies need to carefully target and concentrate their fire.

Battlefield:

This scenario has a ridge running across the entire battlefield. It is a two-hex move to climb the hill, so it is a challenge for the Allies to mount it. But once they do, it is a short trip to the forest in the corner containing additional victory points.

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry

Axis – 5 Infantry, 1 Artillery

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. Like all beach scenarios, the goal is to get off the beach as quickly as possible. But the ridge running across the beach, does allow Allies to assemble their forces just behind the ridge, massing together, until they are ready to climb the ridge together and attack.

2. Watch out for the infantry hex on the Pointe, and for the artillery on your right flank. You will need to shift your forces to the left as quickly as possible, or the enemy could gain one VP before you even get out of the water. You can move your infantry in a straight lateral move while still in the water, to get away from the Pointe.

3. The best pathway to the VP’s in the forest on your right flank, is to overwhelm the enemy on the left flank, and work your way all the way across the middle section into the forest. Once you make your way off the beach on the left flank, you can take a bit of time to assemble all of your forces, and gather the cards you need for your center section attack. This will keep you out of the Artillery range.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. Take advantage of the ridge facing the shore. If you have the infantry movement cards, get to the ridge and batter the troops as they approach. If you just sit in your bunkers or sandbags, and wait for them to mass and attack, you will be overwhelmed.

2. First moves are to attack with your infantry from on the point, and your artillery while Allies are still in the water. This will force them up the coast away from your artillery, and most importantly, away from the victory points in the woods.

3. Use your artillery well to slow down, harass, and destroy the troops while they are still on the beach.

4. Once the Allies make it up onto the ridge, if you can restore your remaining forces back into your bunkers, it may give you enough time to degrade the enemy forces enough to prevent their achievement of the VP’s in the forest on your left flank.

Battle Reports

(percentage of Allied victories):

69%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Operation Cobra

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Armor, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Tactical

Operation Cobra

Operation Cobra was a key World War II military offensive launched by the Allies in late July 1944 during the Battle of Normandy. Its goal was to break through German defenses and enable a rapid advance across France. Following the D-Day landings, Allied forces faced strong German resistance, slowing their progress.

General Howitzer summarizes:
Operation Cobra was a hammer blow—Bradley opened with a sky full of bombs, and when the smoke cleared, our boys rolled right through Saint-Lô and tore the German line apart. We punched deep into France, drove the enemy into the Falaise Pocket, and opened the road straight to Paris. That’s how you break a front—fast, hard, and without mercy.

5 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 5

Axis -4

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

France

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Battle of Normandy

Codename:

Cobra

Context:

Historical

Summary:

The Allies begin with a numerical advantage at the start of the scenario. But they have to make it past well-protected Axis forces who are lodge in hedgerows scattered across the battlefield.

Objectives:

5 VP medals including two territorial medal objectives.

Terrain:

Hedgerows and countryside

Troops:

Allies – 10 Infantry, 4 Armor

Axis – 7 Infantry, 2 Armor

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. Big picture strategy is to push up the center and to the right towards the territorial medal objectives in the two towns. You should be able to dislodge the infantry in the center hedgerow at G5. But the two infantry in the hedgerows at L5 and K5 are going to be more difficult. You may be able to by-pass them by just going up the center. If you gain the initiative, the enemy will have to respond. And then you can hit him with your superior firepower from your armor, and overwhelm him with your infantry.

2. You have a numerical superiority everywhere except your left flank. That will be quickly under attack by the enemy forces which can attack your no-retreat infantry. So first turn available, get them into the woods to their right.

3. All of your armor is stuck behind the infantry, so get some movement on your troops. The goal is to maximize mobility, in order to capitalize on opportunity. Based on the cards, you can decide whether to attack center or right; preferably with armor at a distance to degrade enemy preparedness.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. Big picture strategy is that the Allies outnumber you, and your role may be primarily defensive. But your front units in the hedgerows can put up a good fight. If you can get a Dig-In! card early on that will help.

2. Get your armor which is trapped in the back out into a mobile position as soon as you can.

3. Some early attacks from your troops on the right flank against the trapped Allied troops could gain you a medal, or at least a weakened Allied force in that section.

4. If it looks like the Allies are going to push past you towards the territorial medal of St. Gilles, you will want to move some infantry there as an additional defensive measure. Protect your two territorial medals from enemy capture!

Battle Reports
(percentage of Allied victories):
52%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link:

Moyland Wood (Operation Veritable)

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1945, Armor, Artillery, Countryside, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic

Moyland Wood (Operation Veritable)

The Battle of Moyland Wood, part of Operation Veritable, took place in February 1945 near the village of Moyland in Germany. It was a significant engagement between British and Canadian forces of the Allied 21st Army Group and German forces as the Allies sought to clear the Reichswald Forest and advance into the Rhineland. The battle featured British and Canadian forces facing German defenders, including the 116th Panzer Division. Fierce fighting in dense woods and muddy terrain saw the Allies overcoming stiff German resistance and counterattacks. The Allies secured Moyland Wood, enabling their continued advance toward the Rhine. The battle highlighted the challenges of wooded combat and the importance of infantry-armor-artillery coordination.

General Howitzer summarizes:
Moyland Wood was an awful grinder—thick trees, knee-deep mud, and a dug-in enemy hell-bent on stopping us. The Brits and Canadians went toe-to-toe with the 116th Panzer Division, hacking through the forest under fire. It was slow, brutal work, but they pushed the Germans back and took the wood. That fight proved one thing: in terrain like that, you’d better have your infantry, tanks, and artillery working like a single fist—or you’re dead in the mud. With Moyland secured, the road to the Rhine was wide open.

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Codename:

Operation Veritable

Context:

Historical

Location:

Germany

Year:

1945

Theater:

Western

Campaign

Codename:

Operation Veritable

Summary:

Objectives:

in this scenario is the town of Louisendorf and its victory points. The forms the crux of the battle strategy in many cases.

Battlefield:

Moyland Wood has a range of hilly hexes cutting across diagonally. There are two Axis VP’s right in the center town hexes. The Allied forces are scattered across the battlefield, in control of several hills, thus slowing down the forward advance of the Axis forces toward the VP town objectives.

Troops:

Allies – 10 Infantry, 5 Armor, 1 Artillery

Axis – 9 Infantry, 4 Armor, 2 Artillery

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. The number one objective for Allies is to not easily surrender Louisendorf and its victory medals. As one is able, some of the center infantry should be placed into the town.

2. The round begins with the Allies scattered across the battlefield with no cohesive organizing principle. They will need to very quickly assemble and organize for an attack strategy before the Axis picks off the individual units. The Allied player needs to spend some time just arranging the troops into a battle plan.

3. At the start of the game, the advanced Allied infantry in the center section should really pull back into the town of Louisendorf for two reasons: first because the advanced unit is subject to multiple attacks from nearby Axis units with very little of its own supporting units to help support it, and second, in order to solidify a defense in the town.

4. Be wary of the well-placed artillery on your left flank, and the sandbagged infantry in the woods. It is really a losing battle to attack that flank unless you have an outstanding set of attack cards for that section.

5. Note that the ridge-line on your left flank is within the two-dice hex range of the artillery. So should you think about placing your armor on the point, which would make a great offensive and defensive position, if the enemy has the right combination of cards that flank, they will be able to attack and degrade the armor fairly quickly.

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. Number one objective for Axis is to target the town of Louisendorf and its VP. The Axis begin the game with an outstanding offensive & defensive position on their right flank. Use it early on to hit the Allied units which are pressed up against the back boundary. Without a retreat option, the odds increase nicely for some successful kills.

2. Note that your forces on your left flank are fairly exposed, and backed up agains the boundary. Should the Allies get some armor on the hill facing your forces, they will be able to deal some damage rather quickly.

3. As cards allow, gather your forces for an assault on the center, with the town hexes as your objective. And while the enemy is distracted defending for the impending attack, use your overwhelming firepower on your right flank to pick off units and gain one or two VP’s.

Author:

JBorg

URL

Montelimar

by GeneralHowitzer | Nov 1, 2024 | 1944, Armor, Artillery, Base Game, Countryside, Infantry, Medal Objectives, Memoir 44, Scenario, Strategic

Montelimar

The Battle of Montélimar (August 21–28, 1944) occurred as Allied forces, advancing quickly north from the Operation Dragoon landing beaches, sought to disrupt the German retreat along Route N-7, a critical supply and escape route near the Rhône River. The battlefield featured a mix of open farmland, rugged hills, and strategic chokepoints.

By August 22, skirmishes intensified as both sides probed each other’s strength. On August 24, German forces gained a critical edge after capturing detailed Allied operational plans. Despite this intelligence, their ambitious counterattacks on August 25 faltered. Efforts to cut off American forces and secure key terrain like Hill 300 and the Condillac Pass achieved mixed results. While some German gains were made, they were driven back by American artillery. Conversely, Allied attempts to sever N-7 were repelled by strong German counterattacks, leading to a tactical stalemate.

That fight was no game of chess—it was a brawl for the lifelines out of there. Both sides knew whoever held those escape routes held the keys to the whole sector. We clawed and fought for every inch, and in the end, that struggle fed right into the bigger job—kicking the enemy out and driving on to liberate southern France.

~~ General Howitzer

6 VP’s

Card Balance:

5 – 5

Complexity:

3

Conditions:

Countryside

Location:

Southern France

Year:

1944

Theater:

Western Front

Campaign:

Normandy Invasion

Codename:

Operation Dragoon

Summary:

Objectives:

Six VP’s, plus terriotorial objective medals for the Axis if they capture the towns, and for the Allies if they reach the river’s edge.

Terrain:

The Montelimar scenario has 5 hllly hexes dominating the center of the field of battle, plus several nearby hills. The side which controls this has some hope of reaching their objectives, whether it is the victory point towns, or the victory point riverway.

Troops:

Allies – 9 Infantry, 2 Armor, 1 Artillery

Axis – 9 Infantry, 4 Armor, 1 Artillery

🔥 Winning as Allies

1. The Allies begin the scenario in control of the central hilly hexes, which gives them an immediate edge. This is only blunted by the fact that the Axis are able to move first. If they get the right cards, such as an Assault in the Center or an Infantry Assault command card, they can make an immediate bid to challenge that central control.

2. Note that the hills on the right flank are impassable. This makes the right section almost its own battlefield. If the Axis get an attack advantage down that lane, they will be able to reach the Objective Medal in the town of Grane.

3. If you hope to hold the right flank, you will need to get a unit into the forest at K4. A Probe on the Right would allow you to swap places quickly by moving Infantry at L2 to K4, and Infantry K1 to L2

4. The killer move is to station a unit on the hill (h6) next to, or on the hex (i6) in Condillac Pass. Then when you are ready to finish off an enemy unit to gain your fifth medal, then also move your other unit from the sixth row hexes where they have been waiting, right up to the Rhone River to capture your sixth medal as a territorial objective!

🔥 Winning as Axis

1. Both of your flanks are strong compared to the Allies. So advance down those if you can, as they each also have an objective medal waiting for you at the end. However, your right flank is guarded by Allied artillery, so the left may be the place to make your biggest push.

2. You need to take control of the hill in your central section. Your forces are pressed up against the Rhone River and subject to no-retreat hits.

3. Attack Vector: left flank. Because the hill hexes of the Condillac Pass are impassable, your entire left flank is its own battlefield. Should you have the right combination of attack cards, you could pick up three medals by dominating that sector.

Battle Reports
(percentage of Allied Victories):

54%

Author:

Days of Wonder

Link: